The Magazine for the Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Culinary Arts
|
|
'Ave News of the World of Art
|
|
Artists & Writers of the World Assemble -
2018 is starting off on the right creative foot with
Singapore Art Week
- from 17 to 28 January - that's a week of twelve days, by the way! Besides the massive Art Stage at Marina Bay Sands - don't believe anyone when they tell you it's shrinking - there are a host of other events all over Singapore. Then there's the
Asian Women Writers Festival
- a two day affair with some best-selling authors on hand on 19, 20 January, including Wild Swans author Jung Chang.
|
|
|
Asian Cities Tune in to Musicals -
Southeast Asia is in line for a treat of international musicals in 2018.
"Evita"
sets the scene in Singapore in February, while "The Lion King" makes its mark first in Manila in March and then in Singapore in June. The
Michael Cassel Group,
which brought "Les Miserables" to Singapore in 2016, is bringing "The Lion King", with a truly international cast, to two other Asan cities, Seoul and Taipei, before it heads to South Africa.
|
|
Best of British -
We've raved before about what comes out of Great Britain and what the nation has to share. Kenneth Branagh's "Murder on the Orient Express" was a spectacular success as a movie. And there was a hint in a BBC interview that there might be another
Agatha Christie mystery
to get the Branagh treatment. How about "Death on the Nile"? We plan to bring you news on a regular basis of art and heritage attractions in the UK. Did you know, for example, that the one and only Victoria and Albert Museum is setting up in Scotland? It will open in 2018, date to be announced, but
V&A Museum of Design Dundee
will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland and the only other V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. The building, pictured, is designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
|
|
Let's Club Together
- Talking of design, take a look at the work of British designer
Timothy Oulton
at the brand new Private Members' Club 1880.
See what the Straits Times Life had to say and show
. This is a club with a difference, which wants to promote art, culture and conversation in very conducive surroundings. Besides the expected array of F&B facilities, there's also a very convenient co-working space.
Visit 1880.
Another new members' club is coming onto the Singapore scene -
Straits Clan
- which held an successful launch party at the Capitol Theatre. With an impressive "supporting cast" from the arts and business community, the people behind this club are from the well-known F&B company,
Lo and Behold Group.
They have made their mark in Singapore, not only through their attractive facilities, including the Warehouse Hotel, but by being a very responsible organisation and the first to support the
Humane Society International's Cafe Free Egg
s commitment at all of its establishments.
|
|
|
Art Scene and Heard in Singapore
|
|
ART STAGE is the heart and soul of Singapore Art Week.
It's also the flagship show of the Southeast Asian art world and the region’s key voice in representing the interests of Asian art in the global arena. ART STAGE also plays a pivotal role in developing and bridging various segmented art markets in the region. At the crossroads of Southeast Asia and the world, ART STAGE creates a singular and unified Southeast Asian market, positioned to be more competitive with the more developed global art markets in the West and China.
Pictured is the work of
Anslem Kiefer (Germany),one of the Masterpieces featured in the Art Stage catalogue this January.
For more on Art Stage go here.
|
|
|
|
InvIsible Ties at K Space.
Together with Scotts Square and the School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA), K will be turning the gallery over to ten exceptional emerging artists from SOTA. Just like the first K SOTA exhibition, this is a rare opportunity for student artists to showcase and sell their work in a commercial gallery. Always a creative space, go to K on the third level at Scotts Square for a treat. It runs from until 4 February.
There's more here.
Art from the Streets.
From 13 January, ArtScience Museum presents an exhibition featuring nearly 200 works including on-site projects, paintings, installations, videos, archives and sketches from 50 of the world’s best known street artists such as Banksy, Shephard Fairey (aka OBEY), Futura, Seen, Space Invader, JR, and Vhils. Art from the Streets is the first major retrospective of street art ever shown in Southeast Asia. The exhibition traces the 40 years of this artistic movement from its beginnings to its rise as an urban art form.
Read all about it.
Building the Photo Ark.
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore is on a mission to capture portraits of the world's species before they disappear. With ingenuity, wit, and a serious midwestern work ethic, Sartore has created the National Geographic Photo Ark, the largest archive of its kind with over 6,000 images and counting. Hear about his comical mishaps, endearing encounters, and personal stories while documenting a world worth saving. 27 January at Marina Bay Sands.
Book here.
Street Mining in Manila.
Sundaram Tagore from Singapore and curator Gary Ross Pastrana present work by eight emerging and established artists from the Philippines who find inspiration exploring their everyday surroundings. Through painting, sculpture, installation, photography and video, these artists create personal narratives influenced by the colourful, chaotic streets of Manila and beyond. The work in this show offers a rare glimpse into one of the most dynamic, up-and-coming contemporary art scenes in Southeast Asia. It's on from 20 January to 10 March.
Go to Sundaram Tagore at Gillman Barracks for more.
|
|
Music and Art in Play: All the World's a Stage
|
|
 |
Bond
is
Back
to
Music!
Direct from London this stunning concert explodes for 2 nights only with the music from each and every James Bond film, with 28 world-class musicians from the United Kingdom and from the BASE Philharmonic Orchestra in Singapore performing all the hit songs from 50 years of 007 movies. You will enjoy the greats like Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Skyfall, Thunderball, Live And Let Die, Goldeneye and Licence To Kill amongst all the others. At Marina Bay Sands 19 & 20 January.
More about Bond music here.
|
Pangdemonium is back.
Offering a season of shows in 2018 after a successful 2017. Starting off with
"The Father",
a poignant and devastating exploration of a 70-year-old man’s deteriorating mind as he sinks under the frightening weight of dementia, and loses his grip on the sanctuary of his home and security of his loved ones.
Go to Pangdemonium for more.
|
|
|
|
With more than 20 major awards to its credit, the original Broadway and West End production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical EVITA comes to Singapore from 23 February to 11 March 2018.
EVITA charts the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the 'spiritual leader of the nation' by the Argentine people.
Featuring some of the best loved songs in musical theatre, including Don't Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall.
Go to SISTIC to book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Lion King Asian Tour
T
he principal cast includes Ntsepa Pitjeng, who is returning to the role of ‘Rafiki’ and direct from London’s West End production is Mthokozisi Emkay Khanyile, in the role of ‘Mufasa’. Also from the United Kingdom is music theatre performer Antony Lawrence as ‘Scar’. Australian actor Andre Jewson will feature as ‘Zazu’; the charismatic New Zealand born performer Jamie McGregor will play ‘Timon’ and South African favorite Pierre van Heerden will return as ‘Pumbaa’.
More on the Lion King.
|
|
Vienna Boys Choir in Singapore
Imagine listening to the most beautiful and purest voices on earth: that's the Vienna Boys Choir. Join us as we welcome Austria’s youngest ambassadors of music in the beautiful and historic Victoria Concert Hall on Saturday 13 January 2018. The choir - with its history dating back some 500 years ago to the middle ages - is one of the world’s oldest surviving choirs. Famous composers such as Bruckner, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert have written for the choir. Many great musicians got started as members of the Boys’ Choir; among them, the great conductors Hans Richter, Clemens Krauss and Lovro von Matacic. Over the years, many regard the Vienna Boys Choir to be Austria’s National Treasure.
Book through SISTC.
|
|
|
Wishing you a Jazzy Christmas & New Year
|
|
|
|
Jeremy Monteiro at The Esplanade
If you're quick, you can catch
Jeremy Monteiro at The Esplanade
on 23 December for a Jazzy Christmas, If you love Frank Sinatra, Steve Lippia’s voice will have you fooled that he’s come back to life and crooning his hits and holiday staples in our Concert Hall. Steve will sing in the show’s Swing segment which will also feature singer Joanna Dong, fresh from her stellar showing at the recent Sing! China finals. Her beckoning and swinging style will make you feel as though she is singing directly to you!
|
|
Louis Soliano at La Salle
|
Louis Soliano is the big attraction at the La Salle lunchtime concert on 29 January. Drummer extraordinaire, he spends a significant part of his profession collaborating with numerous international and local music personalities, including Buddy Rich, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Bassey, Max Bygraves, and the Platters, as well as Jeremy Monteiro, Dick Lee, Jacintha Abisheganaden, Francis Yip, Lea Solonga and Gracie Raveria. His tours include cities such as Paris, Hong Kong, London, Australia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Tune in for more.
|
|
|
Writers of the World Unite - For Good!
|
|
Literally Yours: People of the Book
|
|
|
|
Asian Women Writers Festival:
Two days in January 2018, 19th and 20th - featuring the celebrated Chinese-born British author Jung Chang, author of the best-selling books Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China (1991), Mao: The Unknown Story (2005) and Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China (2013). She has a supporting cast of many other well-known Asian writers, including:
· Balli Kaur Jaswal (Singapore)
· Nuraliah Norasid (Singapore)
· Noelle De Jesus (Philippines)
· Shobhaa De (India)
· Mitra Phukan (India)
· Sabyn Javeri (Pakistan)
A Word with Nigella:
WORD Christchurch is thrilled to tell all our readers about a very special event at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand on 8 February with the talented and eloquent Nigella Lawson, culinary star and television personality. Nigella is a champion of the home cook and her new book "At My Table" celebrates the food she loves to cook for friends and family. Join Nigella for an intimate conversation with author Nicky Pellegrino about food and life, followed by your chance to meet her and have a book signed.The perfect Christmas present for the foodie in your life!
Go here for more.
News & Events from Sydney:
Sydney Writers Festival newsletter helps us on our reading - and writing - way with a Summer book list to absorb. And news that the Festival moves to its temporary new home at Carriageworks (pictured at left). With the move comes a change in dates, so mark 30 April to 6 May in your calendars. However, you will hopefully have some time over the festive season to read a couple of great books, and the Festival's programming team have put together some recommendations. Also news of the performance of East West Street: A Song of Good & Evil on Saturday 17 February 2018 at City Recital Hall. Inspired by human rights lawyer
Philippe Sands
’
prize-winning book
East West Street
, this acclaimed musical and literary performance explores the origins of genocide and crimes against humanity.
More news and events from the Sydney Writers Festival.
|
|
The Festive Season of Lights, Action & Camera
|
|
|
|
TRUE COLOURS FESTIVAL
will take place from 22-25 March 2018 in Singapore. Up to 20 performing artistes/troupes from Japan, China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, plus guest artistes from the United Kingdom and Canada, will perform at a multimedia concert experience at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and at the accompanying True Colours Festival Village, a short walk from the concert venue. This never-before festival will present some of the most talented performing artistes with disabilities in the Asia Pacific region. TRUE COLOURS is presented by UNESCO and The Nippon Foundation, and produced by Very Special Arts Singapore.
Read all about it.
LIGHT TO NIGHT FESTIVAL
is an annual urban art event that celebrates the stunning Civic District of Singapore. Over two weeks (19–28 Jan 2018), this second edition explores the sensation of colour through the visual, literary and performing art forms, and transforms major cultural institutions and parks into spectacular works of art. The Padang will turn into a sprawling picnic ground complete with a Festival Food Street. Sit back and enjoy a multimedia projection show unfolding across the façade of National Gallery Singapore.
More to light you up here.
|
|
The World Premiere of the play "Guilt" by Australian John Shand takes place in Washington DC at the SCENA Theatre. John Shand is not only a playwright, but librettist, author, journalist, drummer and critic. He has written about music (and occasionally theatre) for
The Sydney Morning Herald
for over 20 years. His books include
Don’t Shoot The Best Boy! – The Film Crew At Work
(Currency),
Jazz – The Australian Accent
(UNSW Press) and
The Phantom Of The Soap Opera
(Wizard). In 2017 he won the inaugural Arts Journalism Award at the Walkleys, the nation’s preeminent awards for journalism.
More about John and "Guilt".
|
|
The Art of Travel: A Place in Time
|
|
A Place in Time
:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Building on Independence Day in Mumbai/Bombay, India. (Photo Credit: Vidur Malhotra/Flickr). This came from the Asia Society to draw attention to a New York event (also Webcast) on Wednesday 10 January 2018, which takes a look at the year ahead for India and how its trajectory and policies will impact the US, Asia and the world. The discussion will feature Alyssa Ayres, Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow and author of the forthcoming book
Our Time Has Come: How India is Making Its Place in the World
, and Bobby Ghosh, former Editor-in-Chief of the Hindustan Times.
Go to Asia Society for more.
|
|
Art in a Word: FOOD
Introducing the Culinary Arts
|
|
EAT Your Heart out in the Amazonian Rainforest
|
We said we'd bring you the culinary arts - with a twist and for good! - so here's a Thomson Reuters Foundation News article by Thin Lei Win:
Ferns that taste like asparagus when sautéed in olive oil and salt. Leaves with the flavour of garlic. A black, spicy sauce derived from bitter manioc root to go with paiche, a giant Amazonian fish. If the special tasting menu at a restaurant in Ecuador's capital Quito reads like a walk through the Amazonian rainforest, that is exactly the point. "See the beauty, the smell, the colours of the Amazon through the incredible flavours that you can taste!" said Marta Echavarria, co-founder of Quito-based Canopy Bridge. Pictured is the "Chonta" fruit featured at the festival in the Quichua community at Dureno, Ecuador. (Photo by REUTERS/Guillermo Granja).
Go to the source for more.
|
|
"Experience Forests, Experience PEFC"
|
|
Tangled Trunks by Anuradha Marwah.
One of the winning photos in the
‘Experience Forests, Experience PEFC’ photo contest, which were all on display throughout PEFC Week. Anuradha says:
“As a child I was always drawn to nature and my connection to nature is most strongly felt when I am in a forest. Forest can heal, calm and soothe us. I feel at home and at my happiest when I am in them. Forest are natural heritages that we must protect.”
More on PEFC and Forests here.
|
|
Four Artists: Fourth Dimension
|
|
Whether a novice or an avid art collector, come join us for the “Fourth Dimension” exhibition. Take pleasure in appreciating the art from renowned artists such as Yaacov Agam, David Gerstein, Charles Fazzino and Roy Yariv. Pictured above is "2+3=4" by Yaacov Agam. "What do these four artists have in common? They explore the fourth dimension in multiple media. Yaacov Agam is a pioneer of the Kinetic Art Movement and uses the fourth dimension in art-variation of space in time. David Gerstein develops the speed effect with colours and metal, while Charles Fazzino brings the atmosphere of cities to life through Decoupage. Roy Yariv makes us travel in geometry and chaos through multiple media".
Visit Bruno Art to find out more.
Go check out the gallery for yourself at Tanglin Place, 91 Tanglin Road, Singapore.
|
|
Postscript: A word or two
|
|
"We wish you a Merry Christmas!"
In some parts of the world it has become politically and culturally correct - and on religious sensitivity grounds mainly - to talk about "Happy Holidays" instead of wishing people "Merry Christmas". We've done it ourselves when we've featured "Season's Greetings" on our Christmas cards and messages over the years. But let's face it, Christmas is celebrated around the world, not only in "Christian" countries. It's a National Holiday in many places in Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, South Korea, India and even Hong Kong. So let's come out with it. Here's wishing you health and happiness this
Christmas.
The arts come alive at Christmas, as does the art of giving and eating. So we reinforce our commitment to promote Culinary Arts, along with the Literary, Performing and Visual Arts. Plus, our gift to you in an article we wrote for
ANZA Magazine on "Pieces of Eight'
. Just to get us all thinking beyond the ordinary and greedy this Christmas! -
Ken Hickson
PS. Suitably attired for
Christmas
are the "photographer dogs", sculptured and placed strategically over the road from Raffles Hotel. Brightening up a tropical wet day in Singapore.
|
|
in association with
Sustain Ability Showcase Asia (SASA) and ABC Carbon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
